Quite a few years back, I did a Kenya safari holiday. It is the one holiday where I really packed the wrong clothes. I thought: African safari = relentless baking heat. Wrong. So, so wrong.
The Masai Mara is 6000 feet up. It was chilly! I’m Scottish and felt right at home. I had to layer up with two T shirts under a shirt, as I hadn’t even brought a fleece.
Layers is definitely the way to go. I really like Craghopper brand shirts, especially the ones with the button up sleeves. You can wear them like a light jacket open over a T shirt, and they double as a long sleeve or short sleeve shirt. A fleece and a lightweight waterproof should go with you as well. Fleeces are handy on a plane as well. Did I mention I wished I’d taken a fleece?
I’ve read The Man-Eaters of Tsavo, the book by John Henry Patterson, the guy who actually killed the two lions. I would recommend that over The Ghost and the Darkness, which seems to be a novelization of the movie by that title that was based on the original book. The movie (which I’ve seen), and I assume the novelization, introduces some historical inaccuracies.
Those are some nice accommodations, by the way. The crater lodge looks fantastic, and those hardback tents are nice. We stayed in similar places in Botswana. By the way, the netting isn’t just for looks. Make sure you enclose yourself at night to keep out skeeters and crawlers.
Altho not Africa, I recently went on a guided trip in Peru and faced many of the same questions as the OP. I agree with most everything mentioned already. Here are a few other thoughts:
There is a difference between a power adapter and a power converter. A converter will convert the local power to something usable for your appliance, and an adapter will only allow you to plug your appliance into the local outlet. For what I brought on my trip (smart phone and electric razor), they both can convert the local power themselves so I only brought an adapter (which is cheaper). I think most modern small electronics can convert on their own but the plug itself may not be compatible locally, hence the adapter. Check what you plan to bring.
I brought two pairs of shorts to Peru and never used them. Not only was it cool where I was, but when walking around town no locals wore shorts (I dont want to be marked as a tourist - it was maybe obvious enough). I did bring two pair hiking/walking pants that could convert to shorts if needed, tho, but never took off the bottoms. The only place warm enough for shorts was the Amazon, but then exposed skin was open to insect bites, so I kept covered there as well. A guy at the airport when we were leaving evidently wore shorts there and had dozens of angry-looking red welts on his white legs.
Long-sleeve tech-fabric shirts - bring several of them. They can wick away moisture as well as keep arms covered from the sun (and insects). I also brought a pair of arm coolers from my cycling kit.
Definitely a poncho (I brought a full rain suit as well but did not use it). And ziplocks is a great idea to keep electronics dry. My phone got wet in the Amazon rain and was malfunctioning a little until it could dry out.
I used picaridin instead of deet for bug spray and had no issues. I actually prefer it to deet now.
As for the prescriptions, in addition to what was mentioned already, I would recommend bringing an antibiotic like zithromax for any potential infection (in my case it was for any wayward food-born infection). I ended up not using any of it, but it was a just-in-case. I used malarone and had no side effects. There was also a drug for high elevation where we were by I opted for the local remedy of coca tea. Not sure if elevation will be an issue for you, tho.
Camera. I mean a real camera, not a cell phone. You can rent cameras &/or lenses. I’d certainly be taking a big zoom lens on a safari…& an extra memory card. If taking a camera & a lens, make sure to download the manual before you go.
Yes, this is a good idea, you will need a prescription but a phone call to your GP to explain should be enough. You’ll need a script for Malarone too.
OTC suggestions for a first aid kit - Loperamide (Imodium for diarrhea), Diphenhydramine (Benadryl, for reaction to sting/bite), one of those little plastic devices to remove ticks.
Yeah, this alone is a whole thread, of course. A few thoughts if OP is not an experienced photographer:
(1) Technology makes photography so much easier these days, that you can good value out of splurging on a big telephoto lens even you have no experience. (But photographing birds is hard, the little fuckers just won’t sit still.)
(2) A long safari where you will obviously have motivating subject matter but also a lot of spare time in the middle of the day is a great time to teach yourself photography.
(3) Don’t get too obsessed with constantly framing shots. Sometimes it’s better just to put the camera away and take in the experience.
I don’t know if you have time to get it, but the Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals (there’s apocket version too) has beautiful illustrations and a lot of information on natural history and behavior.
Well I did something today that is going to greatly increase my enjoyment on the trip - I got glasses!
I had been hemming and hawing about whether or not I needed them. Distance is fuzzy for me but I’ve never had glasses before so I made an appointment the other day and picked up my glasses today. I can not believe the difference!
Yeah, you really want your eyes working at their best in that part of the world. HUGE open spaces and a sky that goes on forever. Also, since you are interested in birds, not all of them will be close up. You really want to be able to clearly see the glory that is a lilac-breasted roller.
A friend went on a guided safari tour a few years back and was actually given guidelines regarding specific colors to bring (or not). I’m afraid I don’t recall anything about what she was told, but your tour company might have suggestions.
They said not to wear red or white but the thing they strongly and repeatedly emphasized is no camouflage. Not even a hat with it. You can be mistaken for a military person or a terrorist or something and end up in deep poop.
I have all of my medical stuff taken care of. Anti-diarrhea drugs, antibiotics (just in case) I have my Malaria pills and my certificates for my various shots.
I bought Out of Africa for my Kobo. I have a decent camera - not fantastic or professional or anything but enough that I can take nice photos/videos. Yes, I must remember to be in the moment and not just worry about getting the shot. I bought a poncho and a light fleece jacket.
Lilac-breasted Rollers are what made me decide to go for the glasses.
I travel at the opposite end of the budget spectrum, so I can’t add much of relevance. But
–Buy an umbrella when you get there, no point lugging one around the world
– Same for a USB charger to fit their outlets. Couple bucks each, in shops everywhere, or even street vendors.
– I did my laundry in the afternoon Kenya sun, jeans dry in an hour (lay them over a sunny rock, they’ll sizzle). I travel with 20ft of blind cord and a handful of clothespins, which have a thousand travel uses.
